'Gold' An alchemical adventure.

A play by Andrew Dallmeyer
Act II. Scene 6.
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SCENE  6

Seton's house

		(Seton sits in front of the fire, which is now lit.)

ANN	Did you know that Mister Hadden had died since you have
	been away?
SETON	Mm?
ANN	Mister Hadden.
SETON	What of him?
ANN	He has died only lately. Do you listen to nothing of what I say?
SETON	I am sorry Ann.

		(Pause)

ANN	Andrew Craig is now weddit too. To Mister Henderson's eldest 
	daughter. I cannot rightly remember her name. Can you?
SETON	Mm?  No I am afraid that I cannot.
ANN	What is the use?  I might just as well be talking to the cowshed wall!
SETON	I am sorry, my dear, but I am somewhat distractit.
ANN	You must find yourself some amusement Alexander.
	You  cannot sit here day after day for you will start to fester
	and rot.  There are plenty of small jobs which are requiring 	attention.
SETON	I am afraid that I am no longer of much value, Ann, having
	neither the use of my hands nor my feet.
ANN	You must exercise your hands and your feet Alexander.
	Only thus may you gain your old skills back.

		(Pause)

	You remember the meinister?
SETON	Mm?
ANN	Meinister Wardlaw.
SETON	I do indeed.
ANN	He went off to another parish but a few
	weeks after you had left Port Seton.
SETON	Really?  It all seems so long ago.
ANN	The kirk is much changeit in attitude now. The practice of
	alchemy is no longer considerit to be such a serious crime.

		(Pause)

	That night when he callit round, he never returnit.  I think
	he was  but trying to frighten you.  I still have all your vials
	and your vessels storit in the hallway. See, I will fetch them.  
	Perhaps you may consider to use them again.
SETON	I fear that I no longer have the desire.
ANN	You may change your mind. See, I will fetch them.

		(Exit Ann.  She returns a few seconds later 
		with a box full of pots etc.  She places it by the fire.)

ANN	Well, it is there if you want it. I must go now to fetch the 
	children. I will not be long away.
SETON	Where are they gone Ann?
ANN	Who?
SETON	The children.
ANN	I have already told you Alexander. They are gone to Jeane 
	Glassfurd's. Do you listen to nothing of what I say?

		(She goes out.  Seton stares at the box long and hard.  Then, 
		with great difficulty, he picks up the crucible and places it 
		over the fire.  Slowly, he places more pots around the 
		fireplace.)

SETON	Now, to begin again.  At the beginning. Is herebye undertaken 
	in the year of our Lord sixteen hundred and two, attempt at 
	transmutation number one.
	What a long hard road stretches before me. What a long, hard 
	road.

		(Slowly he starts to work once more) 

	First purge mercury with salt and vinegar.

		(The lights fade.)
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